On a lovely bright Mother’s Day Sunday some years ago I woke up early and decided to take a walk. I headed down to the end of our street and across to my in-laws’ driveway, down the hill to the pond which was both perfectly still and alive with sentient beings that early morning. Neither of the humans was awake. Nor was my genial dog-in-law. Just the birds, the bugs and the snapping turtles.

I had stumbled into Jurassic Park.

There on separate spots along the banks of the pond were three large sized, probably elderly snapping turtles, sunning themselves, soaking up the spring sunshine. They may have been looking for a place to lay their eggs — it being, um, Mother’s Day and all.

One of the turtles stirred her lumpish self and began to move along the far side of the water. She then dropped noiselessly into the pond. The other two continued day-dreaming. And so did I.

Tim once told me about a close encounter he had as a boy. He was heading home from playing baseball and saw a turtle lumbering across the road. He was not about to engage the pre-historic animal but reached out with his bat to touch its shell. Lightning quick, the turtle turned and snapped the bat in two. That bat was made of ash. It left an impression on an impressionable mind. And years later, on mine.

I think I stood there for the longest time, knowing I would never again see anything quite so primitive, so Mesozoic, if you will.

Back in real time, some long-standing Islanders have returned to their home base. Lynn Christoffers pulled up beside me in her car to tell me that her passenger, Cynthia Riggs, is back on-Island. Cynthia was smiling, happy to be here. She is enjoying her new home in Vineyard Haven, which is good news for her friends and the fans of her many books. After forays to California and other warm places, Cynthia says she intends to stay put this time.

Sarah Mayhew and Bob Brigham have arrived after driving a long U-shaped route from their home in Northern California to West Tisbury. The two of them admired and photographed birds on their way down the west coast, across Texas and the southern states and throughout Florida. Last Thursday, they caught an afternoon ferry to Sarah’s old home territory.

David Smith and Joan Apt were here for a few days, but had to return to Swarthmore, Pa. for a short while. They will soon be back for an undetermined length of time, possibly a year.

We finally lured one little hummingbird to the feeder. A few days later he was joined by a second fluttery bird. I hope more are en route.

Congratulations and happy wedding anniversary on Thursday, May 15, to John and Katie Hough.

Phyllis Meras will celebrate her birthday on Saturday, May 10. Happy birthday also to Kenny Belain the same day. Shane Fisher is the guest of honor Sunday, May 11. Both Nicole Galland and Ellen Northrup are birthday girls Tuesday, May 13, and Everett Whiting will be toasted Thursday, May 15.

Happy Mother’s Day to all parents, grandparents, teachers, pediatric professionals, coaches, baby-sitters, anyone who cares for children.